PSE&G gives customers a break on estimated bills

If you’re a PSE&G customer and you received an estimated bill, you are able to take into account the time you were without power as a result of superstorm Sandy, the utility said Friday.

About 25 percent of PSE&G’s customers received an estimated bill, which is based on seasonal usage.

Here’s what Karen Johnson, a PSE&G spokeswoman, sent me:

If a customer impacted by the storm received an estimated bill in November, they can pro-rate and pay their bill based on how many days they were without power. For example, if they lost power for six of the 30 days they can subtract 20 percent off the current bill. If they had no power for 10 days, they can subtract about 30 percent off the bill.

The bills will be trued up with the December reading. If their meter already has been read by a meter reader, they must pay that amount. Customers who were delinquent in payments before the storm should call 800-357-2262 to discuss payment arrangements.

U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg praised PSE&G’s decision.

“I am pleased that PSE&G has instituted a policy in the aftermath of Sandy that will prevent customers from overpaying their bills,” Lautenberg said in a statement. “Many families are fighting to get back in their homes and rebuild after the storm, and they can’t be paying out of pocket for services they never received.”

He encouraged other utilities to do the same.

Press on Your Side called Jersey Central Power & Light spokesman Ron Morano to see what the utility’s customers should do.

” JCP&L is working on a program of its own for customers and we are always wiling to work with our customers,” Morano said. “Certainly, any customer that has an issue with an estimated bill should give us a call.”

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About David P. Willis

David P. Willis is a business writer at the Asbury Park Press and Press on Your Side columnist. Previously he covered technology, telecommunications, energy, retailing, and residential and commercial real estate. He grew up in Plainfield, but has lived in Monmouth County since he started working at the Press in 1995.

2 Responses to PSE&G gives customers a break on estimated bills

This is bull. I scheduled a disconnect because I was moving for Dec 1st. They still estimated my bill, the rep on the phone told me I would have to pay for the Dec bill as well. New tenants were moving in Dec. 1st. I refused to pay for someone else’s usage. The rep told me it was my fault (several times) for scheduling the cut off for the 1st and told me they would ‘work with me’ and that I would have to pay the same exact amount as the previous month instead. I refused stating that they didn’t provide service for over a week and I was out of the home by the 17th. Meaning, I only used limited usage for 1 week. When I told her that I would contact the board of Public Utilities, she laughed at me and said ‘Who will they believe’. I have been battling PSEG for over a month now, and they will not return my $260 deposit until I ‘agree’ that the billing is acceptable. Ms. Adams told left me a voicemail stating that she would not call me before 11am because she was not going to schedule her time around me and that I would just have to keep calling until she answered the phone. Today, I am still working with the board of Public Utilities and they agree that this is not ethical. Now I have to write a formal letter to get this settled and to get my deposit back. So, don’t believe the hype. PSEG are greedy monsters they have no intentions of practicing good business ethics. They are looking for every way to profit from Hurricane Sandy.

just read your meter yourself and send them the actual amount. all the info is on the bill. Meter Reading – Previous Meter Reading (from Bill) times rate (also on the bill)

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About the Author

David P. Willis David is a business writer at the Asbury Park Press and Press on Your Side columnist. Previously he covered technology, telecommunications, energy, retailing, and residential and commercial real estate. He grew up in Plainfield, but has lived in Monmouth County since he started working at the Press in 1995. You can reach him at pressonyourside@njpressmedia.com.